Buddhism and Legal Tradition in Mongolia

The article is devoted to the problem of the influence of Buddhism on the legal tradition in Mongolia. The scientific relevance of the study concerning the history of interaction of Buddhism and legal tradition lies in the fact that religion and law are the values and norms that regulate social relations, revealing level and condition of morality of society, determining the system of value coordinates. The analysis of the cultural historical context of interaction of legal and religious institutions is of particular importance. In this regard, the questions regarding the history of interaction of Buddhism and legal traditions in Mongolia are of special interest. The authors consider such monuments of Mongolian law as the "Great Yasa", the Hutuktay-Sechen's Law, the Altan Khan's Code, the "Eighteen steppe laws", the "Ih tsaaz" (the Mongol-Oirat Code of 1640), the "Mongol Tsaadzhin Bichig" ("the Mongolian law"), the "Khalkha Dzhirum" and modern legislation of Mongolia. A common in the religious studies view on Buddhism as a contemplative religion, indifferent to political-legal issues, is not entirely true. The study showed that Buddhism had a significant influence on the formation of state-legal relations in Mongolia. Inclusion of the Buddhist Canon law in the national legislation contributed to strengthening of the provisions of the world religion in the Mongolian society. As a result it became an important regulator of legal relations. It also contributed to the fact that the Buddhist clergy was beginning to be perceived by the population as an important and integral part of society. After proclamation of the Mongolian People's Republic and the subsequent persecution of the Church Buddhism ceased to have any serious impact on the law. In the modern democratic Mongolia the leading role of Buddhism in the country is enshrined in law, and it is regarded as an ideological foundation for preservation of national culture and Mongols' identity.